Nevada County picayune., 1887-10-06
AGRICULTURAL.
Farmers Encampments.

h tU.r af the Southern States '.cncamlmcnts" of farmers are now being held. The objects, as auloaic,d. are substantially as G.lleu~: To hear addresses from pra,.i ,ai men who have given yrcrial study to some particular irauch of agriculture; to see in ar.pal use the latest improved iarul macnnery, which will be eX' mbited by manufacturers from ev- cry section of the Union; to eX- hibit and sell or exchange their stock-horses, cattle, sheep, swine. etc: to aid farmers who have not yet secured improved domestic animals, by showing them fine specimens of all the different breeds. and in this way encour- age spectators to "get the best" for their own use and breeding purposes; and to stimulate and strengthen the farmers organiza. tions of the South by putting new energy and determination into the breast of every rural citizen who attends the encampment' There are no admission fees to the grounds, nor any charges on the exhibits of stock or farm products made by farmers, and only very moderute charge on exhibitions of implements aud machinery.
 These eDcampments strike us as likely to prove very beneficial to the farming interest. If properly managed, they can scarcely fail of being instructive and useful to the communities in which they are held, and indeed to all participants speakers and hearers, exhibitors and spectators, and sellers and buyers. They combine the promi nent features of farmers institutes and clubs, agricultural exhibitions and also of the sale or exchange fairs so common and popular in Great Britain. The results of these novel assemblages will nat urally be awaited with great inter- est, and if they shall prove as ben efcial to the rural people and communities of the South as is an. ticlpated, farmers encampments will doubtless soon be introduced in other sections of the Union and also in Canada. The plan certain. ly seems feasible, and if it shall be carried out judiciously without the contaminating adjuncts and in- tluences of liquor selling, horse racing, gambling, etc,-it will nat urally be recognized as worthy of adoption by earnest friends of ag- ricultural improvement in various parts of tue continent.
 Some may think that the plan is not practicable, that it undertakes too much, or to do too many good things at once. But this objection is hardly valid. True, perhaps all in attendance at an encamp. ment might not be able 10 witness every feature; but some could man. age to hear the addresses, see the exhibition, and also be benefited by the sale or purchase ofanimalS, implements, or the like. Others might be well paid for attending an encampment by the benefit de. rived from some one of it's prom. nent features either the address es, the exhibition proper or the sale and exchange department. Hence, while we may be mistaken as to it's practical working, we are inclined to believe the "FamerS' Encampmentn a good institution, and that our Southern brethren are entitled to special credit foi it's inauguration as a factor m pro noting the cause of industrial i'm proyement, and the elevation oi those engaged in agricultural and kindred pursuits.
 Ii any object that encampments might interfere with agricultural fairs, or be supertuous in sections where the latter are held, our reply IS that little or no harm could be done in that direction. Indeed there is no danger to he appre, hended from well-cOnductcd agri cultural exhibitions, discussions, etc, anywhere. and the more or ganizatious and displays we have, calculated to improve or promote rural progress and improvement the better it will be for all engaged or specially interested, in the lead ing industrial occupation of the country. Instead. therefore. ot obiecting,to farmers cncampmcntS as supcrtiuous, or an unnecessary innovation. let them be encouraged at least until they shall. after 8 fair trial. be found wanting. Ant should they prove as interesting and instructive to participants anC the public as many expect, thei, usefulness in facilitating the prog ress of agricultural improvement will ere long be such as to render them influential adiuncts'of Othe, and well-cstablished rural organi cations. with which they may ap propriately cooperate.
 Military encampments are very useful as instructors of our citizel